U.S. patent application number 11/693540 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for vacuum cleaner with an integrated handheld vacuum cleaner unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Sang Bo Kang.
Application Number | 20070226947 11/693540 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38373040 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070226947 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kang; Sang Bo |
October 4, 2007 |
VACUUM CLEANER WITH AN INTEGRATED HANDHELD VACUUM CLEANER UNIT
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a vacuum cleaner with an integrated handheld
vacuum cleaner unit that includes a dust container detachably
mounted on a body of the vacuum cleaner and configured to perform
vacuum cleaning via air suction in a detached state. The dust
container of the vacuum cleaner permits vacuum cleaning not only in
a state of being mounted in the body, but also in a state of being
detached therefrom. Accordingly, the vacuum cleaner of the present
invention can eliminate needs of separately buying a larger vacuum
cleaner and a smaller vacuum cleaner, thereby being more economical
for consumers.
Inventors: |
Kang; Sang Bo; (Incheon-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Assignee: |
DAEWOO ELECTRONICS
CORPORATION
686 AHYEON-DONG, MAPO-GU
SEOUL
KR
|
Family ID: |
38373040 |
Appl. No.: |
11/693540 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/2878 20130101;
A47L 9/22 20130101; A47L 5/225 20130101; A47L 9/2857 20130101; A47L
5/24 20130101; A47L 9/2842 20130101; A47L 5/362 20130101; A47L
9/2884 20130101; A47L 9/1463 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/329 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/00 20060101
A47L009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 29, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0028669 |
Claims
1. A vacuum cleaner with an integrated handheld vacuum cleaner
unit, comprising: a body having a hose attaching part and an
accommodation part opened partially; a dust container detachably
mounted on the accommodation part and including a filter disposed
in the dust container to collect foreign matter, the dust container
having an inlet port formed at one side of the dust container and
an exhaust port formed at the other side; a motor assembly disposed
in the body to generate suction force; a power supply device to
supply power to drive the motor assembly; and a separate assistant
driving unit coupled to the dust container to generate suction
force when the dust container is detached from the body.
2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising: an
assistant hose coupled to the inlet port of the dust container to
allow exterior air and foreign matter to be drawn into the dust
container through the assistant hose.
3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the assistant
driving unit comprises: an assistant case having a suction hole
formed at one side of the assistant case; an assistant motor
assembly disposed in the assistant case to generate suction force;
and an assistant power supply device to supply power to drive the
assistant motor assembly.
4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the suction
hole is formed in the assistant case to be located near the exhaust
port of the dust container when the assistant driving unit is
coupled to the dust container.
5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the assistant
power supply device is a power cable to be plugged into a wall
socket.
6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the assistant
power supply device is a rechargeable battery.
7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the filter is
disposed near the inlet port of the dust container.
8. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the filter is
disposed near the exhaust port of the dust container.
9. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the dust
container further includes a knob formed at an upper side of the
dust container.
10. A vacuum cleaner with an integrated handheld vacuum cleaner
unit, comprising: a body having a hose attaching part and an
accommodation part opened partially; a dust container detachably
mounted on the accommodation part and including a filter disposed
in the dust container to collect foreign matter, the dust container
having an inlet port formed at one side of the dust container and
an exhaust port formed at the other side; a motor assembly disposed
in the body to generate suction force; a power supply device to
supply power to drive the motor assembly; and a separate assistant
driving unit coupled to the dust container to generate suction
force when the dust container is detached from the body, wherein,
when the dust container is mounted on the accommodation part of the
body, the assistant driving unit is seated in a space between a
bottom surface of the accommodation part and a lower surface of the
dust container.
11. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, further comprising:
an assistant hose coupled to the inlet port of the dust container
to allow exterior air and foreign matter to be drawn into the dust
container through the assistant hose.
12. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the assistant
driving unit comprises: an assistant case having a suction hole
formed at one side of the assistant case; an assistant motor
assembly disposed in the assistant case to generate suction force;
and an assistant power supply device to supply power to drive the
assistant motor assembly.
13. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, wherein, when
inserted and mounted on the accommodation part of the body, the
assistant driving unit and the dust container are in a state of
being coupled by a coupling member.
14. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein the coupling
member is a hinge allowing rotation of the assistant driving unit
and the dust container with respect to each other around the
hinge.
15. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, wherein the suction
hole is formed in the assistant case to be located near the exhaust
port of the dust container when the assistant driving unit is
coupled to the dust container.
16. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, wherein the assistant
power supply device is a power cable to be plugged into a wall
socket.
17. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, wherein the assistant
power supply device is a rechargeable battery.
18. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 17, wherein the
rechargeable battery is disposed in the assistant case and charged
by the power supply device connected to the battery.
19. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the filter is
disposed near the inlet port of the dust container.
20. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the filter is
disposed near the exhaust port of the dust container.
21. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the dust
container further includes a knob formed at an upper side of the
dust container.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with an
integrated handheld vacuum cleaner unit that includes a dust
container detachably mounted on a body of the vacuum cleaner and
configured to perform vacuum cleaning via air suction in a detached
state.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] According to shapes and usage postures, vacuum cleaners can
be generally classified into a canister type vacuum cleaner, which
provides convenience in corner cleaning and movement while allowing
easy replacement of a brush or a nozzle, and an upright type vacuum
cleaner, which provides convenience in storage and allows easy
cleaning of a large space.
[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional
vacuum cleaner. Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional vacuum
cleaner generally includes a suction unit 11 which will be brought
into close contact with a floor, a pipe 12 connected to the suction
unit 11 and having a predetermined length, a handle 13 connected to
the pipe 12, a hose 14 connected to the handle 13, and a body 20
connected to the handle 14.
[0004] The suction unit 11 is provided at a lower surface with
wheels to suck up foreign matter while moving on the floor, and the
pipe 12 and the handle 13 are used to move the suction unit 11 to
desired locations.
[0005] The pipe 12 and the hose 14 serve to guide air containing
foreign matter into the body 20, which in turn sucks the air
containing the foreign matter and collects the foreign matter while
discharging filtered air to an outside of the body 20.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the body shown
in FIG. 1. The body 20 is provided at a front side with a hose
attaching part 21 for coupling with the hose 14.
[0007] The body 20 has a dust collection unit 22 positioned in a
central region and connected to the hose attaching part 21.
[0008] Specifically, the dust collection unit 22 includes a dust
container 24 that is inserted into an accommodation part 23 defined
in the central region of the body 20 and has a filter 25 to filter
foreign matter.
[0009] The dust container 24 is provided at an upper side with a
knob 26 and is separated from the accommodation part 23 by means of
a separation button 27 formed on the knob 26.
[0010] At this time, a motor 28 is positioned adjacent the
accommodation part 23 inside the body 20 and driven by power
supplied via a power cable 29.
[0011] Therefore, when the motor 28 is driven by power, air
containing foreign matter is drawn into the dust container 24 and
passes through the filter 25 in the dust container 24, so that the
foreign matter is filtered by the filter 25 and collected in the
container 24 while filtered air is discharged outside the vacuum
cleaner.
[0012] Then, when filled with the foreign matter, the dust
container 24 is separated from the insertion groove 24 by pushing
the separation button 27, and opened to remove the foreign matter
by means of a separate button.
[0013] However, since such a vacuum container has the motor
installed inside the body, it is necessary to move the body when
performing the vacuum operation at several locations on the
floor.
[0014] Therefore, the conventional vacuum cleaner has problems in
that the overall body must be moved even for corner vacuuming or
partial vacuuming, and in that, in the case where a power cable has
a short length, it must be plugged again into a wall socket near a
vacuuming location.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention]
[0015] The present invention has been made to solve the above
problems, and an aspect of the present invention is to provide a
vacuum cleaner that includes a detachable dust container capable of
performing vacuum cleaning via suction of foreign matter in a
detached state to permit a user to perform vacuum cleaning not only
with the body of the vacuum cleaner but also with the dust
container detached from the body, improving vacuuming
efficiency.
[Technical Solution]
[0016] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a
vacuum cleaner with an integrated handheld vacuum cleaner unit,
comprising: a body having a hose attaching part and an
accommodation part opened partially; a dust container detachably
mounted on the accommodation part and including a filter disposed
in the dust container to collect foreign matter, the dust container
having an inlet port formed at one side of the dust container and
an exhaust port formed at the other side; a motor assembly disposed
in the body to generate suction force; a power supply device to
supply power to drive the motor assembly; and a separate assistant
driving unit coupled to the dust container to generate suction
force when the dust container is detached from the body.
[0017] The vacuum cleaner may further comprise an assistant hose
coupled to the inlet port of the dust container to allow exterior
air and foreign matter to be drawn into the dust container through
the assistant hose.
[0018] The assistant driving unit may comprise: an assistant case
having a suction hole formed at one side of the assistant case; an
assistant motor assembly disposed in the assistant case to generate
suction force; and an assistant power supply device to supply power
to drive the assistant motor assembly.
[0019] The suction hole may be formed in the assistant case to be
located near the exhaust port of the dust container when the
assistant driving unit is coupled to the dust container.
[0020] The assistant power supply device may be a rechargeable
battery or a power cable to be plugged into a wall socket.
[0021] The filter may be disposed near the inlet port of the dust
container.
[0022] The filter may be disposed near the exhaust port of the dust
container.
[0023] The dust container may further include a knob formed at an
upper side of the dust container.
[0024] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a vacuum cleaner with an integrated handheld
vacuum cleaner unit, comprising: a body having a hose attaching
part and an accommodation part opened partially; a dust container
detachably mounted on the accommodation part and including a filter
disposed in the dust container to collect foreign matter, the dust
container having an inlet port formed at one side of the dust
container and an exhaust port formed at the other side; a motor
assembly disposed in the body to generate suction force; a power
supply device to supply power to drive the motor assembly; and a
separate assistant driving unit coupled to the dust container to
generate suction force when the dust container is detached from the
body, wherein, when the dust container is mounted on the
accommodation part of the body, the assistant driving unit is
seated in a space between a bottom surface of the accommodation
part and a lower surface of the dust container.
[0025] The vacuum cleaner may further comprise an assistant hose
coupled to the inlet port of the dust container to allow exterior
air and foreign matter to be drawn into the dust container through
the assistant hose.
[0026] The assistant driving unit may comprise: an assistant case
having a suction hole formed at one side of the assistant case; an
assistant motor assembly disposed in the assistant case to generate
suction force; and an assistant power supply device to supply power
to drive the assistant motor assembly.
[0027] When inserted and mounted on the accommodation part of the
body, the assistant driving unit and the dust container may be in a
state of being coupled by a coupling member.
[0028] Here, the coupling member may be a hinge allowing rotation
of the assistant driving unit and the dust container with respect
to each other around the hinge.
[0029] The suction hole may be formed in the assistant case to be
located near the exhaust port of the dust container when the
assistant driving unit is coupled to the dust container.
[0030] The assistant power supply device may be a rechargeable
battery or a power cable to be plugged into a wall socket.
[0031] Here, the rechargeable battery may be disposed in the
assistant case and charged by the power supply device connected to
the battery.
[0032] The filter may be disposed near the inlet port of the dust
container.
[0033] The filter may be disposed near the exhaust port of the dust
container.
[0034] The dust container may further include a knob formed at an
upper side of the dust container.
[Advantageous Effects]
[0035] As apparent from the above description, the dust container
of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention permits
vacuum cleaning not only in a state of being mounted in the body,
but also in a state of being detached therefrom.
[0036] Accordingly, the vacuum cleaner of the present invention can
eliminate needs of separately buying a larger vacuum cleaner and a
smaller vacuum cleaner, thereby being more economical for
consumers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional vacuum
cleaner;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a body of the conventional
vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a view of a vacuum cleaner with an integrated
handheld vacuum cleaner unit according to a first embodiment of the
present invention, which includes a power cable as an assistant
power supply device;
[0040] FIG. 4 is a view of the vacuum cleaner with an integrated
handheld vacuum cleaner unit according to the first embodiment of
the present invention, which includes a battery as the assistant
power supply device;
[0041] FIG. 5 is a view of a vacuum cleaner with an integrated
handheld vacuum cleaner unit according to a second embodiment of
the present invention, which includes a battery as an assistant
power supply device; and
[0042] FIG. 6 is a view of the vacuum cleaner with an integrated
handheld vacuum cleaner unit according to the second embodiment of
the present invention, which includes a power cable as the
assistant power supply device.
BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION
[0043] Exemplary embodiments of a vacuum cleaner with an integrated
handheld vacuum cleaner unit according to the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0044] The drawings are not to precise scale and may be exaggerated
in thickness of lines or size of components for descriptive
convenience and clarity only.
[0045] Furthermore, terms used herein are defined by taking
functions of the present invention into account and can be changed
according to the custom or intention of users or operators.
[0046] Therefore, definition of such terms should be made according
to overall disclosures herein.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a view of a vacuum cleaner with an integrated
handheld vacuum cleaner unit according to a first embodiment of the
present invention, which includes a power cable as an assistant
power supply device, and FIG. 4 is a view of the vacuum cleaner
with an integrated handheld vacuum cleaner unit according to the
first embodiment of the present invention, which includes a battery
as the assistant power supply device.
[0048] In addition, FIG. 5 is a view of a vacuum cleaner with an
integrated handheld vacuum cleaner unit according to a second
embodiment of the present invention, which includes a battery as an
assistant power supply device, and FIG. 6 is a view of the vacuum
cleaner with an integrated handheld vacuum cleaner unit according
to the second embodiment of the present invention, which includes a
power cable as the assistant power supply device.
[0049] The first embodiment of the present invention is described
in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings
hereinafter.
[0050] Although not shown in the drawings, the vacuum cleaner
comprises a suction unit, a pipe, and a handle, which are assembled
in sequence and connected to a hose 14. The vacuum cleaner
comprises a body 30 that is formed with a body-inlet port 31a for
coupling with the hose 14 and has an accommodation part 32 opened
partially.
[0051] The body-inlet port 51a is formed at the front side of the
body 50, and has a front portion to be coupled to the hose 14 and a
rear portion extending in a tube shape to one side of the
accommodation part 52.
[0052] The body 30 has a body-exhaust port 31b formed at a location
on a surface of the accommodation part 32 corresponding to the
body-inlet port 31a.
[0053] The dust container 41 is detachably inserted into the
accommodation part 32 such that the dust container 41 can be
integrated to the body 30 or separated therefrom.
[0054] The dust container 41 is formed at one side with an inlet
port 41a through which air is drawn into the dust container 41, and
at the other side with an exhaust port 41b through which air is
discharged to the outside.
[0055] When the dust container 41 is inserted into the
accommodation part 32 and mounted on the body 30, the inlet port
41a of the dust container 41 is located near the body-inlet port
31a of the body 30 and the exhaust port 41b is located near the
body-exhaust port 31b of the body 30.
[0056] Although the hose 14 can be coupled not only to the
body-inlet port 31a but also to the inlet port 41a, it is desirable
that a separate assistant hose 14a be coupled to the inlet port
41a.
[0057] The dust container 41 has a knob 43 formed on the top of the
dust container 41 such that a user can carry the dust container 41
by gripping the knob 43, and a filter 44 disposed therein to filter
foreign matter.
[0058] A motor assembly 33 is disposed inside the body 30 to suck
air through the body-inlet port 31a.
[0059] The motor assembly 33 includes a motor and a fan not shown
in the drawings, and is operated to suck air via rotation of the
fan when power is applied to drive the motor.
[0060] The body 30 is provided with a power supply device 34, which
is electrically connected to the motor assembly 33 and will be
plugged into a wall socket to supply power to the motor assembly 33
when driving the motor assembly 33.
[0061] Here, the vacuum cleaner further comprises an assistant
driving unit 45, which is mounted outside the body 30 or separately
stored. The assistant driving unit 45 is coupled to the dust
container 41 and serves to suck air when the dust container 41 is
separated from the body 30.
[0062] The assistant driving unit 45 comprises an assistant case
46, an assistant motor 47, and an assistant power supply device 48
or 49.
[0063] The assistant driving unit 45 has a suction hole 46a formed
at one side thereof and is coupled to the dust container 41. When
the assistant driving unit 45 is coupled to the dust container 41,
the suction hole 46a of the assistant case 46 is located near the
exhaust port 41b of the dust container 41.
[0064] The assistant motor assembly 47 is disposed in the assistant
case 46 and serves to generate suction force.
[0065] At this time, the suction hole 46b, exhaust port 41b and
inlet port 41a are designed to be communicated with one another,
allowing the suction force of the assistant motor assembly 47 to
affect up to the inlet port 41a.
[0066] The assistant power supply device 48 or 49 is electrically
connected to the assistant motor assembly 47 and supplies power to
the assistant motor assembly 47 when driving the assistant motor
assembly 47.
[0067] The assistant power supply device 48 or 49 may be a
rechargeable battery 49 or a power cable 48, which has a
predetermined length and can be plugged into a wall socket. The
rechargeable battery 49 can be disposed inside the assistant case
46.
[0068] The filter 44 can be attached to various parts of the dust
container 41 depending on dust collection methods, and is
preferably disposed near the inlet port 41a in the case where a
dust bag is provided as the filter 44.
[0069] Further, when such a filter 44 is applied to a cyclone type
vacuum cleaner, it is desirable that the filter 44 be located near
the exhaust port 41b.
[0070] Operation and effect of the vacuum cleaner according to the
first embodiment of the present invention having such a
configuration as described above are described hereinafter.
[0071] First, by pushing an operation button (not shown) with the
power supply device 34 plugged into a wall socket, the motor
assembly 33 is driven to force air containing foreign matter to be
drawn into the dust container 41 through the hose 14, and air
filtered through the filter 44 is discharged to the outside.
[0072] To use the dust container 41 as a carriable handy cleaner
when vacuuming, the dust container 41 is separated from the
accommodation part 32 of the body 30 by pushing a separation button
35, and the assistant hose 14a is connected to the inlet port 41a
of the dust container.
[0073] And, the dust container 41 is coupled to the assistant
driving unit 45 such that the suction hole 46a is located near the
exhaust port 41b of the dust container 41.
[0074] Then, by pushing an operation button (not shown), power is
supplied to the assistant motor assembly 47 via the assistant power
supply device 48 or 49, so that the assistant motor assembly 47 is
driven.
[0075] In this way, as suction force is generated by the assistant
motor assembly 47, air containing foreign matter is drawn into the
assistant hose 14a coupled to the inlet port 41a.
[0076] Therefore, the user can perform vacuum cleaning while
carrying the dust container 41 by gripping the knob 43 of the dust
container 41.
[0077] At this time, if the power cable 48 is used as the assistant
power supply device, it is plugged into the wall socket to supply
power to the assistant motor assembly 47.
[0078] If the rechargeable battery 49 is used as the assistant
power supply device, the battery 55 is charged by means of a
separate charging device and supplies power to the assistant motor
assembly 47 in response to a signal from the operation button (not
shown).
[0079] Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings hereinafter.
[0080] Although not shown in the drawings, the vacuum cleaner
comprises a suction unit, a pipe, and a handle, which are assembled
in sequence and connected to a hose 14. The vacuum cleaner
comprises a body 50 that is formed with a body-inlet port 51a for
coupling with the hose 14 and has an accommodation part 52 opened
partially.
[0081] The body-inlet port 51a is formed at the front side of the
body 50, and has a front portion to be coupled to the hose 14 and a
rear portion extending in a tube shape to one side of the
accommodation part 52.
[0082] The body 50 has a body-exhaust port 51b formed at a location
on a surface of the accommodation part 52 corresponding to the
body-inlet port 51a.
[0083] The dust container 61 is detachably inserted into the
accommodation part 52 such that the dust container 61 can be
integrated to the body 50 or separated therefrom.
[0084] The dust container 61 is formed at one side with an inlet
port 61a through which air is drawn into the dust container 61, and
at the other side with an exhaust port 61b through which air is
discharged to the outside.
[0085] When the dust container 61 is inserted into the
accommodation part 52 and mounted on the body 50, the inlet port
61a of the dust container 61 is located near the body-inlet port
51a of the body 50 and the exhaust port 61b is located near the
body-exhaust port 51b of the body 50.
[0086] Although the hose 14 can be coupled not only to the
body-inlet port 51a but also to the inlet port 61a, it is desirable
that a separate assistant hose 14a be coupled to the inlet port
61a.
[0087] The dust container 61 has a knob 63 formed on the top of the
dust container 61 such that a user can carry the dust container 61
by gripping the knob 63, and a filter 44 disposed therein to filter
foreign matter.
[0088] A motor assembly 53 is disposed inside the body 50 to suck
air through the body-inlet port 51a.
[0089] The motor assembly 53 includes a motor and a fan not shown
in the drawings, and is operated to suck air via rotation of the
fan when power is applied to drive the motor.
[0090] The body 50 is provided with a power supply device 54, which
is electrically connected to the motor assembly 53 and will be
plugged into a wall socket to supply power to the motor assembly 53
when driving the motor assembly 53.
[0091] Here, the vacuum cleaner further comprises an assistant
driving unit 65, which is detachably mounted to the accommodation
part 52. The assistant driving unit 65 is coupled to the dust
container 61 and serves to suck air when the dust container 61 is
separated from the body 50.
[0092] In other words, when the dust container 61 is mounted on the
accommodation part 52 of the body 50, the assistant driving unit 65
is mounted in a space defined between a bottom surface of the
accommodation part 52 and a lower surface of the dust container
61.
[0093] The assistant driving unit 65 comprises an assistant case
66, an assistant motor 67, and an assistant power supply device 68
or 69.
[0094] The assistant case 66 has a suction hole 66a formed at one
side thereof and is coupled to the dust container 61 by a coupling
member, such as a hinge 71, which can permit rotation of the
assistant case and the dust container with respect to each
other.
[0095] In other words, when the dust container 61 and the assistant
driving unit 65 are mounted in the body 50, a right-side lower end
of the dust container 61 is coupled to a right-side upper end of
the assistant case 66 via the hinge 71.
[0096] Therefore, when the dust container 61 is separated from the
body 50, the assistant driving unit 65 coupled at one side to the
dust container 61 via the hinge 71 is also separated from the body
50. Then, the assistant driving unit 65 is rotated around the hinge
71 and coupled at the other side to the dust container 61 via a
separated fastening component (not shown).
[0097] When the assistant driving unit 65 is coupled to the dust
container 61, the suction hole 66a of the assistant case 66 is
located near the exhaust port 61b of the dust container 61.
[0098] The assistant motor assembly 67 is disposed in the assistant
case 66 and serves to generate suction force.
[0099] At this time, the suction hole 66a, exhaust port 61b and
inlet port 61a are designed to be communicated with one another,
allowing the suction force of the assistant motor assembly 67 to
affect up to the inlet port 61a.
[0100] The assistant power supply device 68 or 69 is electrically
connected to the assistant motor assembly 67 and supplies power to
the assistant motor assembly 67 when driving the assistant motor
assembly 67.
[0101] The assistant power supply device 68 or 69 may be a
rechargeable battery 69 or a power cable 68, which has a
predetermined length and can be plugged into a wall socket. The
rechargeable battery 69 can be designed to be disposed inside the
assistant case 46.
[0102] When the rechargeable battery 69 is disposed in the
assistant case 46, the accommodation part 52 and the rechargeable
battery 69 of the assistant case 66 are provided with ground
terminals 72 to contact each other, and such ground terminals 72
are connected to the power supply device 54 to charge the battery
69.
[0103] The filter 64 can be attached to various parts of the dust
container 61 depending on dust collection methods, and is
preferably disposed near the inlet port 61a in the case where a
dust bag is provided as the filter 64.
[0104] Further, when such a filter 64 is applied to a cyclone type
vacuum cleaner, it is desirable that the filter 64 be located near
the exhaust port 61b.
[0105] Operation and effect of the vacuum cleaner according to the
second embodiment of the present invention having such a
configuration as described above are described hereinafter.
[0106] First, by pushing an operation button (not shown) with the
power supply device 54 plugged into a wall socket, the motor
assembly 53 is driven to force air containing foreign matter to be
drawn into the dust container 61 through the hose 14, and air
filtered through the filter 64 is discharged to the outside.
[0107] When the dust container 61 is separated from the
accommodation part 52 of the body 50 by pushing a separation button
55 to use the dust container 61 as a carriable handy cleaner for
vacuuming, the dust container 61 and the assistant driving unit 65
coupled to the dust container 61 by the hinge 71 are separated from
the body 50.
[0108] In this state, the assistant driving unit 65 and the dust
container 61 are coupled to each other such that the suction hole
66a is located near the exhaust port 61b of the dust container 61,
and the assistant hose 14a is connected to the inlet port 61a of
the dust container 61.
[0109] Then, by pushing an operation button (not shown), power is
supplied to the assistant motor assembly 67 via the assistant power
supply device 68 or 69, so that the assistant motor assembly 67 is
driven.
[0110] In this way, as suction force is generated by the assistant
motor assembly 67, air containing foreign matter is drawn into the
assistant hose 14a coupled to the inlet port 61a.
[0111] Therefore, the user can perform vacuum cleaning while
carrying the dust container 61 by gripping the knob 63 of the dust
container 61.
[0112] At this time, if the power cable 68 is used as the assistant
power supply device, it is plugged into the wall socket to supply
power to the assistant motor assembly 67.
[0113] If the rechargeable battery 69 is used as the assistant
power supply device, it is charged through the ground terminals 72
via the power supply device 54 and supplies power to the assistant
motor assembly 67 in response to a signal from the operation button
(not shown).
[0114] After the vacuum cleaning using the dust container 61, with
the dust container 61 and the assistant driving unit 65 coupled to
each other by the hinge 71, coupling between the dust container 61
and the assistant driving unit 65 by the fastening member (not
shown) is released.
[0115] With the assistant driving unit 65 contacting the lower side
of the dust container 61 by rotating them around the hinge 71, the
dust container 61 and the assistant driving unit 65 are inserted
into the accommodation part 52 of the body 50, so that the dust
container 61 and the assistant driving unit 65 are received in the
body 50.
[0116] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be
understood that these embodiments are provided for illustrative
purposes and that various equivalent modifications and other
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without
departing from the scope of this invention.
[0117] Therefore, the scope and spirit of the invention is limited
only by the claims set forth herein as follows.
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